WPI 77, Clark 53 

Worcester, MA --- Sophomore point guard Adam Lirette (Dover, NH) netted a career-best 13 points to help WPI defeat visiting Clark 77-53 in NEWMAC's men's basketball action on Wednesday evening.  The meeting was the 125th of the storied rivalry between the crosstown squads, with WPI now enjoying a slim 63-62 advantage.   

The Engineers, who are currently ranked 15th in the latest D3Hoops.com Top 25, extended their school-record winning to 14 games.  The Crimson and Gray are 17-1 overall and a perfect 8-0 in NEWMAC play.  Clark dips to 7-11 on the year and 1-6 in conference action. 

WPI used a 17-5 run late in the first half to extend a 17-15 advantage to a 34-20 lead with 2:11 to go in the opening stanza.  Trailing 36-24 at the break, the Cougars rattled off the first four points of the second half but would draw no closer then eight points the rest of the way. 

Lirette, who also added six rebounds, five steals and four assists, highlighted four different WPI players in double figures.  Ryan Cain (Webster, MA) led all players with 14 points and five assists while Antoine Coleman (Everett, MA) and Jim Marois (Worcester, MA) each chipped in with 11 points.   

Peter Normandin (Westminster, MA), Mark Alexander (Providence, RI), Dominique Beck (Brockton, MA) all poured in nine points to pace Clark offensively.  Clark corralled 14 offensive rebounds on the night with Pat Landers (Worcester, MA), Normadin and Beck each being credited with three on evening. 

Both teams return to action this Saturday.  WPI travels to Babson for a 2pm contest while Clark entertains Wheaton at 1pm.